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Systematic Reviews: Report Results

Step 6: Report Results

Your final step is to report your findings. Refer to the PRISMA checklists when writing your manuscript to ensure that it meets the minimum reporting requirements.  Reproducibility is key is a key feature of a high quality systematic review.  If you have questions about how to make your search methodology reproducible, please contact a librarian. 

Reproducibility

A systematic review uses a structured and reproducible method to identify, assess and critically appraise all relevant studies in response to a specific research query.  Here are some tips for making sure your search is reproducible:

  • Use subject headings and field codes in your search strategies
  • Be aware that search algorithm in databases and search engines can negatively impact the reproducibility of your search
  • If using a search hedge (or filter) make sure that it is validated and cite the use of it in your methods
  • Run your searches on the same date and run updates on the same date as well
  • Use the PRISMA-S searching extension checklist to verify that every component of your search is fully documented and therefore reproducible

The search strategies documentation template can be used to help in your reporting of your search methods

Reproducibility & Data Management

Data Management is an important aspect for evidence syntheses. Without proper data management your search will not be reproducible and therefore devaluing your research. Your search strategy and results gathered from it are data, so consider submitting it to a repository. Learn more about the importance of Data Management below. 

CABI searchRxiv

searchRxiv (pronounced “search archive”) has been established to support researchers to report, store and share their searches consistently and to enable them to review and re-use existing searches.

searchRxiv enables researchers to:

  • Post their searches, ensuring credit for all those involved
  • Obtain a digital object identifier (DOI) for their search, enabling it to be cited
  • Link searches to published articles as relevant
  • Find it easier to follow best practice for structuring their search strategy
  • Easily find relevant searches in their subject area by searching across search strings as well as metadata describing those search strings

Cite These Resources

If you used any of the tools and resources that you found via the UK Libraries or this guide, you will need to cite them in your manuscript.  Below are some examples of commonly used sources.

Table of Database Vendors and Coverages

Polyglot Search Translator

  • Clark J.M., Sanders S., Carter M., Honeyman D., Cleo G., Auld Y.,… Beller E. (2020).  Improving the translation of search strategies using the Polyglot Search Translator: a randomized controlled trial. J Med Libr Assoc, 108(2):195;207. doi: 10.5195/jmla.2020.834.

SR Accelerator

  • Clark J., Glasziou P., Del Mar C., Bannach-Brown A., Stehlik P., Scott AM. (2020). A full systematic review was completed in 2 weeks using automation tools: a case study. J Clin Epidemiol. 28(121):81-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.01.008.

PRISMA

  • Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021;372:n71. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n71

PRISMA-P

  • Moher D, Shamseer L, Clarke M, Ghersi D, Liberati A, Petticrew M, Shekelle P, Stewart LA. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. Syst Rev. 2015;4(1):1. doi: 10.1186/2046-4053-4-1

PRISMA-S

  • Rethlefsen ML, Kirtley S, Waffenschmidt S, Ayala AP, Moher D, Page MJ, Koffel JB; PRISMA-S Group. PRISMA-S: an extension to the PRISMA Statement for Reporting Literature Searches in Systematic Reviews. Syst Rev. 2021 Jan 26;10(1):39. doi: 10.1186/s13643-020-01542-z

Acknowledgements

Systematic and scoping reviews are time intensive and require expert level assistance to complete.  If a librarian assisted you with the search process, advised on tools and resources, or met with your team several times an acknowledgement in the final publication is appreciated.  Below are some examples of acknowledgements:

  • Smith RV, Havens JR, Walsh SL. Gabapentin misuse, abuse and diversion: a systematic review. Addiction. 2016;111(7):1160-1174. doi:10.1111/add.13324
  • Flannery AH, Oyler DR, Weinhouse GL. The Impact of Interventions to Improve Sleep on Delirium in the ICU: A Systematic Review and Research Framework. Crit Care Med. 2016;44(12):2231-2240. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000001952

Don't Know Where to Publish?

Tools to Help You Find Potential Journals

Article-Journal Matching Tools
For more resources, visit the Research & Publishing Guide:

Standards & Guidelines